Praying To Be Led

Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled mortals the peace of God. We know not all of what prayer can do (Charles Spurgeon).

God wants us to see that ordinary people – you and me – can accomplish extraordinary things through prayer.

Jesus taught us to see God as “Father.” Jesus wants us to quiet down and really think about who we are addressing – the One who is above all, knows all, can see all; who wants us as His children, coming to Him and asking Him and depending on Him. “Our Father in heaven” not some remote, indifferent Sovereign, but a Father who taught earthly fathers how to love and care and listen and help their children.

There is no acceptable prayer until we can say “I will arise and go unto my Father” (Luke 15:18). This childlike spirit soon perceives the grandeur of the “Father in heaven.” The child lisping “Abba, Father” grows into the cherub crying “Holy, holy, holy!”

It is in a personal relationship to the loving God that prayer depends. It is in the knowledge of God’s “fatherliness” that the power of prayer will be found. Consecration to God, and His Will, gives liberty in prayer for temporal things, once the whole earthly life is given to the Father’s loving care.

The Father is longing to give the Spirit to us, if we will but ask in the childlike dependence on what He tells us. We need to ask for His special gifts and operations as we require them. As well as for Him to take entire possession of us, for His unceasing guidance. I must say in faith: I have what I ask, the fullness of the Spirit is mine! For what we have received and taken and now hold as ours, let us give thanks and continue steadfast in believing prayer that the blessing may breakthrough and fill our being. If there is one thing on earth we can be sure of, it is that the Father desires to have us filled with His Spirit, it is that He delights to give us His Spirit (Andrew Murray).

O Lord, to be honest, I am overwhelmed. I really wonder if I will ever be able to pray like Elijah (James 5:17-18). But, Lord, I truly want to learn. Please teach me how to pray fervently. Teach me the effective prayer of a righteous man that avails much (James 5:16). I’m going to ask and ask until it is mine (Luke 11:5-8). I know it is Your will. Thank You, therefore for hearing this prayer (1 John 5:14) that I ask in the name of Your Son, my Lord Jesus.

Your Word says the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6). You also tell me that we are controlled by the Spirit if the Spirit of God lives in us (Romans 8:9).  Your Word tells me to pray in the Spirit on all occasions (Ephesians 6:18), and to build myself up in my faith (Jude 20). My spirit is the candle of the Lord (Proverbs 20:27), and my spirit in me testifies that I am a child of God (Romans 8:16), born of the Spirit of God (John 3:5), filled with the Spirit of God (Ephesians 5:18), and led by the Spirit of God (Isaiah 48:17). 

Therefore, I will listen to my heart as I look to my spirit inside me.  I am trusting the Holy Spirit to give direction to my spirit and illuminate my mind. As His love is perfected in me (1 John 4:12), I will have my anointing from the Holy One (1 John 2:20). 

What a blessing it is to realize the same Spirit that raised my Lord Jesus Christ from the dead dwells in me (Romans 8:11).  Because Your Spirit dwells within me, Lord God, I am able to be led by Him (Romans 8:14).  Thank You for filling me with Your Holy Spirit, God Father. May I bring You a smile today as I learn to live by Your Spirit.